Topic: News Distraction

Comedian Russell Brand's recent attempt to enter the Fox News building to confront Sean Hannity is dismissed as a calculated distraction. The hosts argue that such stunts serve to divert public attention from substantive issues while maintaining Brand's profile as a "brave" media critic.

Russell Brand is characterized as a "distraction" following his attempt to confront Sean Hannity at Fox News. Meanwhile, FBI Director James Comey is identified as a key figure to watch regarding his stance on surveillance and law enforcement.

The hosts briefly discuss the media obsession with the name of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian's baby (North/Cadence). They frame celebrity gossip as the "top distraction of the week" used to divert public attention from more substantive political and surveillance issues.

A study highlights a rise in injuries and deaths among pedestrians wearing headphones, with many victims being hit by trains. The hosts mock the "sensory deprivation" framing of the report and lament the poor quality of local news broadcasts, which they find less informative than C-SPAN.

A clip from the television show Bones is played, featuring a character discussing how celebrity news, such as Lindsay Lohan's legal troubles, is used to distract the public from significant events like the BP oil spill or coups in Honduras. The hosts find it notable that mainstream entertainment is acknowledging the "distraction team" tactics they frequently analyze.

Mainstream entertainment news outlets like "Extra" are criticized for focusing on trivial celebrity stories while major political and economic events occur. Segments on Lindsay Lohan's personal life, Tiger Woods' dating habits, and Kate Gosselin's alleged plastic surgery are framed as "real news" to distract the public. The hosts use these clips to illustrate the decline of journalistic standards.

The intense media focus on Haiti is described as a distraction that allows the government to pass controversial legislation, such as the healthcare bill, with minimal public scrutiny. The hosts warn that local elections and significant policy changes often occur quietly while the public is preoccupied with international disasters. They urge listeners to remain diligent about domestic news during these periods.

A teenager in New Zealand caused a traffic accident after exposing herself to drivers, an incident that would have resulted in sex offender registration in the U.S. but was treated as a joke locally. Meanwhile, Tiger Woods continues to dominate mainstream media coverage, appearing on the cover of Newsweek as his popularity polls drop. These stories are categorized as "distractions of the week" that divert public attention from substantive political issues.

A listener voicemail suggests that the media focus on the Eliot Spitzer scandal served as a distraction from the resignation of Admiral William Fallon. Fallon, the commander of U.S. Central Command, stepped down amid reports of friction with the Bush administration over Iran policy. The segment questions whether the timing of these events was manipulated to bury the military leadership change.